A bird strike and adverse weather are presumed to be the cause behind the fatal Jeju Air plane crash in South Korea on Sunday morning, an incident in which 179 of the 181 passengers are presumed dead.
A life jacket hangs on fencing next to the wreckage of an aircraft that crashed after it went off the runway at Muan International Airport, in Muan, South Korea, December 29, 2024. (Reuters)
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The passenger plane crashed on landing at the country's Muan International Airport. The incident took place when Jeju Air flight 7C2216, carrying 175 passengers and six crew on a flight from Bangkok, was landing around 9 am (local time).
"The cause of the accident is presumed to be a bird strike combined with adverse weather conditions. However, the exact cause will be announced following a joint investigation," Lee Jeong-hyun, chief of Muan fire station, said during a briefing.
What is a bird strike? Why are they dangerous
A bird strike refers to a collision between a bird and an aircraft which is in flight, or on takeoff or landing roll.
In most cases, birds hit an aircraft's windscreen or fly into engines. This can reduce engine power and sometimes result in an emergency landing or, in rare cases, a crash.
Bird strikes are pretty common, especially in areas near airports where birds and aircraft share airspace. Most bird strikes occur during takeoff, initial climb, or landing, as these are times when aircraft are flying at lower altitudes where birds are more commonly found.
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Home/World News/Bird strike likely cause of fatal South Korea plane crash. What is it?
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